Calvins Puzzle Gear Orbit City Black (1/2 Spacing Capsule)

Calvins Puzzle Gear Orbit City Black (1/2 Spacing Capsule)

A variant of the Sam Gear Orbit Cube, a puzzle designed by Sam Jiang and produced by Calvin's Puzzle. Gear Orbit City Black (1/2 Spacing Capsule) is based on a 3x3, but each face has four small circles driven by a hidden planetary gear system. The City version adds a bandaged restriction on top of that, so solving it is harder than the regular Gear Orbit.

How the Gear Orbit mechanism works

You can't turn the circles on their own. They only move when you turn a face: the center drags the four circles around it, much like planets orbiting the sun. Every move changes not only the position of the 3x3 pieces but also the orientation of the circles, and you have to keep track of that throughout the solve. The manufacturer points out that there is no ready-made solution method. You have to work out the logic of the moves yourself.

City version: 1/2 or 1/4 Spacing Capsule?

Gear Orbit City comes in two variants: 1/2 Spacing Capsule (this one) and 1/4 Spacing Capsule. Both have the same gear mechanism and the bandaged restriction that changes the available cutting planes, but they are two separate products. Check the photos before buying to make sure you are choosing the right version.

Center, adjustment and handling

The center cap isn't just decoration. Remove it and you can see the gears and loosen or tighten the puzzle. With such a complex mechanism, the gears sometimes slip out of alignment. The manufacturer considers this unavoidable rather than a defect: you loosen the puzzle, realign the gears and tighten it back up. In this version, the top cap comes removed from the factory, so you decide whether to put it on or leave the mechanism exposed.

This is not a speedcubing cube. Owners of the base Gear Orbit say the turning is quite stiff, because there are a lot of parts working inside. It's best to turn it calmly, without forcing it, and to be careful with the small circle pieces.

Who is it for?

For collectors and cubers who can solve a 3x3 confidently and enjoy figuring out unusual mechanisms, gear cubes and bandaged puzzles. It's a poor choice as a first cube for a child or a beginner. It's better to start with a classic 3x3.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 puzzle with a gear mechanism (planetary gear) and bandaged restriction
• Manufacturer: Calvin's Puzzle
• Designer: Sam Jiang
• Version: Gear Orbit City, 1/2 Spacing Capsule
• Body color: black, with stickers
• Dimensions: approx. 63 x 61.6 x 61 mm
• Weight: approx. 150 g
• Material: ABS plastic, PVC stickers
• Packaging: small transparent box